Patriarch Elected For Exiled Armenians

Patriarch Aram Keshishian has been elected spiritual leader of the 4 million Armenian Orthodox Christians living outside their homeland.

Keshishian was elected Wednesday at a closed synod in Beirut’s Antelias suburb. His formal name becomes Aram I when he is consecrated Saturday night.

Keshishian was chosen from among three finalists to fill the post, vacated in April by Patriarch Karakin II who was elevated to spiritual head of all Armenian Orthodox worldwide. Karakin is based in Echmiadzine, Armenia.

About 3.7 million Armenians still live in their homeland, a former Soviet republic, while 4 million Armenians live elsewhere.